Matchday 17
Liverpool vs Manchester United
The match-up between England’s two most successful sides is always a big one, but this one is hugely significant for both sides in the context of this season.
After a poor start, United have been struggling to keep up with the top five sides. They are currently eight points behind fifth placed Arsenal and falling away from the pack.
A win over Liverpool would reduce the overall gap of the top six, but United would still have a mountain to climb.
For Liverpool, the situation is quite different. They are undefeated after 16 games, the only side that can boast such a record after Manchester City lost to Chelsea on Sunday morning.
Their midweek Champions League game saw them scrape through to the knockout stage and they will look ride this momentum into the huge clash.
The form of Mo Salah will be encouraging for Reds fans. The Egyptian had a slow start to the season compared with last season’s performances, but has recently come into some hot form with a hattrick against Bournemouth and the winner against Napoli.
Liverpool will be favourites but United have not lost in their last four games and will not go down without a fight.
Tip: Liverpool to keep a clean sheet @ $2.30
City suffered their first loss of the season against Chelsea, losing 2-0 and not creating enough in the way of clear-cut chances.
Everton have drawn their last two games and have been lucky to get both results.
This means that both sides enter this weekend’s game underperforming compared to how their season has gone thus far.
City dropped out of first place and will desperate to regain that position with a win over the Toffees.
Everton hold a respectable record against City, losing only twice to them in the last three years across seven meetings.
The team from Merseyside have shown that they can defend for a full 90 minutes, holding Chelsea goalless and only conceding to Liverpool after an unexpected mistake from the normally reliable Jordan Pickford.
Defending is likely what Everton will have to do due to City’s attacking forces, which have seen them score 45 goals up to this point in the season.
City will be keen to bounce back from the loss to Chelsea and should be able to get all three points against an Everton side that is struggling to find its way.
Tip: Manchester City to score in both halves @ $1.61
The mid-table battle is as close as ever and these two sides are right in the middle of it.
Wolves have shone this season after coming up from the Championship and a recent 2-1 win over Chelsea indicated they are here to stay.
Bournemouth have surprised many over recent years under the leadership of Eddie Howe.
They currently sit in eighth place and have put in strong performances against Fulham and Watford.
However, their form has dropped recently. A 4-0 drubbing at the hands of Liverpool has been the apex of their poor run where they have won one of their last five.
Both sides are battling to stay in the top half and based on recent results, Wolves should be able to get the win at home, further extending the Cherries’ poor run.
Tip: Wolverhampton to win @ $1.90
